McGinley gets green light for Ryder chase

Knee victim Paul McGinley has been given the green light to embark on what would amount to a miracle Ryder Cup comeback.

The Dubliner, 43, hoped to hit the fairways running last month after undergoing a horror sixth operation on his crocked left knee nearly four months ago.

But after fearing the worst when he failed to make a quick recovery, he’s set to return in next month’s Hassan II Golf Trophy in Morocco thanks to some magic from Padraig Harrington’s physio Dr Liam Hennessy.

Relieved by the turnaround, McGinley said: “I was worried it was taking so long to get over the operation and wondered when I’d get back

“I thought I’d be ready to go in Qatar or Pebble Beach but I just couldn’t hit full shots in practice.

“I went in for more scans on the knee to see how it was progressing and things didn’t looked too bad considering the punishment it’s had for 25 years.

“I finally got in some light practice last week and now I’m over in San Diego and Palm Springs for the next fortnight to try and get some sharpness back and to test equipment at the TaylorMade HQ.

“it’s all thanks to Liam Hennessy, who’s been overseeing my rehab work. He’s fantastic. It’s made all the difference and Morocco is looking good.”

Last season was the worst of McGinley’s 18-year career and he’s now more than 600,000 euro outside the nine automatic places in Colin Montgomerie’s side.

But McGinley is determined to prove he isn’t washed up and still thinks he can earn consideration one of three picks.

Ranked a lowly 247th in the world, he said: “Not being in the majors or World Golf Championships means I’m behind the eight ball. But it can all change so quickly with a win or a few big finishes.”

If he doesn’t qualify, McGinley is certain to be named as one of Montgomerie’s vice captains.

McGinley looking for finishers as Ryder Cup wildcard choices loom

Paul McGinley wants to see Stephen Gallacher, or any other player on the periphery of his team, step up to the mark and show they really want to be at Gleneagles by putting in a huge performance this week.

Never ending nightmare for McGinley

The line of people looking for autographs and photographs looked like it would never end for Paul McGinley.

But as he posed with some of the guests who attended the GUI Champions’ Dinner at Carton House, the guest of honour had other things on his mind.

Standing in a corner afterwards, he tried to keep the weight off his troublesome left knee and revealed the depths of his personal injury nightmare and his determination to battle his way back to the top.

While other Irish players like Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell are looking forward to a huge year, McGinley would be happy to know when his comeback will begin.

McGinley ready to cimb the mountain again

Paul McGinley during last season’s Irish Open. He finished 14th for his best result of a forgettable year, Ryder Cup vice captaincy apart. (Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)Paul McGinley knows he must regain some semblance of his old form if he is to remain a credible candidate for the Ryder Cup captaincy.